NRL market watch: Cameron Munster re-signs with Melbourne Storm, rejects Dolphins, Tigers

Camreon Munster’s decision to become a one-club player will have massive ramifications for the player market as rival clubs re-evaluate their free agency plans.

Melbourne Storm five-eighth Cameron Munster's future is decided.

Melbourne star Cameron Munster has broken Dolphins’ hearts and turned his back on a mega payday from the NRL’s newest franchise after pledging his future to the Storm.

Munster ended months of speculation on Thursday afternoon, informing Storm chair and owner Matt Tripp of his decision only hours before he flew to England with the Kangaroos to defend the World Cup.

It is understood the new four-year deal with the Storm, which begins in 2024, is worth upwards of $1.1 million a season.

Munster could have earned more had he taken up the offer from the Dolphins, who had earmarked the Storm and Queensland star as their priority signing.

The Wests Tigers had also expressed an interest in Munster and offered to match or beat any offer he received on the open market.

However, his loyalty to Melbourne and desire to be part of a team capable of challenging for a premiership convinced him to pledge his future to the club.

Cameron Munster during a Kangaroos gym session on Thursday. Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

It’s a huge sigh of relief for the Storm as the deal comes less than four weeks before the November 1 deadline, when Munster and 200 contracted players come onto the open market and rival clubs could poach the playmaker for 2024.

“I love the Melbourne Storm and I am proud to be committing to the club for a further four years,” Munster said

“The club has always been supportive of me, even through some of the more difficult times, and I appreciate Trippy, Justin [Rodski], Frank [Ponissi] and Craig [Bellamy] giving me the time I needed to think through the decision with Bianca and my family.

“It is such an important decision for me, and in the end, Melbourne is where my heart is, Melbourne is where I want to play my footy, and Melbourne is the club I want to be a part of for the rest of my career.

“I’ve always wanted to be a one club player. Storm gave me the chance to play NRL and the club has become a second home for me since making my debut.

“Both Bianca and I have family back in Queensland but we are settled in Melbourne, we have a great support network and we look forward to growing our young family in the years to come.

“Thank you to everyone who has supported me through this process, and in my career, particularly to Bianca, my son Jaxson, my parents and extended family. Thank you also to my manager Braith Anasta.

“And finally, thank you to the boys, and everyone at the club, we have an exciting future ahead.”

Munster’s decision will have massive ramifications for the player market. The Dolphins have a war chest and may turn their attention to the likes of Parramatta pair Dylan Brown and Mitchell Moses now that they have missed out on Munster.

Brown and Moses are both off contract at the end of 2023 and able to sign with rival clubs on November 1. The Dolphins may also take a look at the likes of Luke Brooks, Matt Burton, Sam Walker and Cody Walker.

The Storm, meanwhile, were celebrating a victory that should ensure they remain premiership contenders for years to come.

“It is a huge relief,” Tripp said.

Cameron Munster will stay with the Storm. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

“I guess patience is a virtue. We spoke at the start of the year and he said he wanted to repay the faith and pay good footy.

“He has done that in spades. He has been an integral part of our club for a long time now. I have always said to him that you are not obliged to anyone or do anything, no-one has a gun at your head.

“But he has always been a priority of mine. I have a special interest in him because I care about him a lot. We know this was a huge decision for Cameron and Bianca to make, particularly with family based in Queensland.

“Cameron will always be a Queenslander, but we are pleased he now calls Melbourne home as well. Cameron has matured a lot on and off the field over the last 12 months.

“Most importantly, Cameron has never been in a better place in his life, he is happy, healthy and settled with his young family, and we are thrilled he has decided to remain with the Storm and will become a one club player.

“We are so lucky to have a player like Cameron – a generational player – committed to our club and our city for another four years.”

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